At the height of her fame in October 1999, Abayari was arrested at the Guam airport for possession of amphetamines

The scandal, often referred to as the "Anjanette Abayari scandal," revolves around allegations that she was not the rightful winner of the Miss Universe Philippines 1992 title. Some claimed that she was favored by the pageant's organizers and that her victory was influenced by her connections.

Before her big break in film, Abayari enjoyed a stellar pageant career. She joined the , where her "oozing sex appeal and intelligence" quickly made her a favorite. She clinched the top crown (Bb. Pilipinas Universe 1991), which was supposed to send her to the Miss Universe pageant. As a model, she was also the leading lady in the music video of Timmy T's hit song One More Try .

In October 1999, Abayari was arrested at the after security officials discovered a plastic pipe (tooter) containing traces of methamphetamine (shabu) in her makeup kit.

The entertainment industry, heavily reliant on family-friendly corporate sponsorships, distanced itself from the actress. For a decade, the vibrant superheroine was completely absent from the screens she once dominated. Rebuilding: The Long Journey Back

. However, her life took a dramatic turn that eventually led to her departure from the limelight. The Peak of Her Career

Anjanette Abayari was one of the most prominent Filipino-American stars of the 1990s, best known for her iconic portrayal of the superheroine Darna in the 1994 film Mars Ravelo's Darna: The Return . Her career, which began with a victory at Binibining Pilipinas Universe 1991 (from which she later resigned due to residency issues), was cut short by a major legal scandal.

Abayari grew up in a close-knit family and was raised in General Santos City. She developed an interest in modeling and acting at a young age and began her career in the entertainment industry as a model and commercial endorser. Her breakthrough came when she joined the Binibining Pilipinas 2012 pageant, where she was crowned Miss Philippines 2012.

Her sharp features, athletic build, and screenside charisma allowed her to transition seamlessly into the film industry. Her crowning career achievement arrived in 1994, when she starred as the legendary superheroine in Mars Ravelo's Darna! Ang Pagbabalik .

: Abayari vehemently denied the drugs were hers, claiming the item belonged to her sister.